Miscues, blunders haunt New Kent as Colonial Heights escapes with 14-13 win
New Kent running back Nathaniel Christian (3) keeps his balance despite being tripped up by Colonial Heights’ Aiden Ackerman.Robb Johnson photo
After a disappointing 2023 campaign, New Kent High School’s football team looked to rectify last season’s outing while navigating the path with a young squad. But with youthfulness comes inexperience which can lead to mistakes. Such was the case Friday night for the Trojans.
Blunders by the hosting Trojans proved evident as the visiting Colonial Heights’ Colonials escaped with a 14-13 victory in the season opener for New Kent.
After New Kent’s opening drive was halted inside of the five-yard line, the hosts capitalized off Colonial Height’s poor punt. The result was New Kent quarterback Nicholas Cottrell toting the ball from three yards out to provide the hosts a 7-0 advantage.
Early in the second quarter, New Kent began driving the ball down the field once again. But a fumble by Nathaniel Christian resulted in the visitors recovering the pigskin. On the next play, Colonials’ running back Za’Marion Mason scampered around the corner for a 50-yard touchdown run, with the subsequent placement tying the game at seven apiece with just under 10 minutes until halftime.
Colonial Heights continued to force the hosts into miscues, as the recovered an on-side kick and forced a turnover on downs. But the visitors could not take advantage of New Kent’s blunders, settling for a tie at the break.
Colonial Heights received the opening kickoff after the break and took advantage of New Kent defenders being out of place. Colonial signal-caller Na’Jarn Bostic faked a pass one way and threw a swing pass the other way to Thomas Lipscomb. From there, Lipscomb would take the ball 48 yards down the sideline into the endzone for a score less than two minutes into the third quarter. A subsequent placement kick put the visitors up by seven (14-7) over the Trojans.
New Kent’s offensive struggles continued, with the next drive ending with Cottrell’s pass attempt being intercepted by Mason. But once again, Colonial Heights failed to capitalize, resulting in New Kent taking possession of the ball.
The fourth quarter reaped success for the Trojans as they managed to take care of the ball better. The end result saw Cottrell cross the goal line for the second time of the night to cut Colonial Heights’ lead down to one (14-13). However, the subsequent placement kick was ruled no good, keeping the visitors ahead.
New Kent made several attempts to get the ball back, but Colonial Heights’ used a pounding ground attack to keep the clock running for the last 4:37 in the contest, resulting in their victory and escaping New Kent with a win.
After the contest, New Kent Head Coach John McCauley spoke about the mistakes and miscues his team endured throughout the contest.
“We didn’t take care of any of our opportunities,” he commented. “We have a young team with only five seniors.
“I can’t be upset, and I love how they fought,” McCauley continued. “But we should have won, and we will learn from this.”
New Kent’s record falls to 0-1.